Phlomis

Excellent drought tolerant
herbaceous or shrubby perennials. They often have felted leaves. All have
flowers arranged in whorls up the stems and pepper pot seed heads.
Propagation can be from seed but is also easy by division.

They appreciate well-drained
soil and sunny spot. All the varieties we grow are completely hardy.

An excellent booklet on
Phlomis ("Phlomis the Neglected Genus") was published by the
NCCPG in the UK. The National Plant Collection Holder, Mr J. Mann Taylor,
also publishes details of the plants on the NCCPG
Gloucester Website

Phlomis russeliana

Heart-shaped, felted, mid-green, wintergreen leaves form weed-smothering
clumps about 1ft tall and up to 1ft 6" across. The candelabra flower stem grow
to 2ft 6in - 3ft tall and bear yellow hooded flowers between May and July. The
seed heads last through the winter and look great when dusted with frost.
Remove the seed heads in February unless you want plenty of self-seeds.

Really spectacular clumps of this plant
can be seen at The Dorothy Clive Garden.